Barbie
04-12-2003, 05:33 PM
http://www.canoe.ca/CalgaryNews/cs.cs-04-12-0048.html
Saturday, April 12, 2003
Bush visit a go despite tension
By BILL RODGERS, OTTAWA BUREAU CHIEF
OTTAWA -- For the first time since the war began, the White House indicated yesterday President George W. Bush still plans to make a state visit to Ottawa in May.
Canadian officials were concerned Bush would scrap the trip in light of Canada's refusal to join the American-led invasion of Iraq, and anti-American comments from members of the Chretien government.
"The president visits countries and has relations with countries not depending on just the reactions involving Iraq," spokesman Ari Fleischer told Sun Media yesterday at a White House briefing.
Cancellation of the trip would be seen as a major U.S. snub of Canada in general, and of Jean Chretien and his government in particular.
The White House was particularly upset by Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal who said the president was "not a statesman."
Earlier, NDP leader Jack Layton said he would participate in Parliament Hill protests during the Bush visit.
And New Democrat Svend Robinson has vowed to heckle a speech by the president to the House of Commons.
Meanwhile, Canada is ready to help restore order in Iraqi cities if it receives a request to do so.
The PM told reporters yesterday that the country could send RCMP and other police officers to help quell the widespread looting of cities following the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime.
Solicitor General Wayne Easter said preliminary talks are underway.
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This is going to be quite the show...the NDP as the hecklers from the Muppet show.
Just what Canada needs, more Liberals to fuck up our relationship with the US.
Saturday, April 12, 2003
Bush visit a go despite tension
By BILL RODGERS, OTTAWA BUREAU CHIEF
OTTAWA -- For the first time since the war began, the White House indicated yesterday President George W. Bush still plans to make a state visit to Ottawa in May.
Canadian officials were concerned Bush would scrap the trip in light of Canada's refusal to join the American-led invasion of Iraq, and anti-American comments from members of the Chretien government.
"The president visits countries and has relations with countries not depending on just the reactions involving Iraq," spokesman Ari Fleischer told Sun Media yesterday at a White House briefing.
Cancellation of the trip would be seen as a major U.S. snub of Canada in general, and of Jean Chretien and his government in particular.
The White House was particularly upset by Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal who said the president was "not a statesman."
Earlier, NDP leader Jack Layton said he would participate in Parliament Hill protests during the Bush visit.
And New Democrat Svend Robinson has vowed to heckle a speech by the president to the House of Commons.
Meanwhile, Canada is ready to help restore order in Iraqi cities if it receives a request to do so.
The PM told reporters yesterday that the country could send RCMP and other police officers to help quell the widespread looting of cities following the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime.
Solicitor General Wayne Easter said preliminary talks are underway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is going to be quite the show...the NDP as the hecklers from the Muppet show.
Just what Canada needs, more Liberals to fuck up our relationship with the US.